How the relationships between general practitioners and intensivists can be improved: the general practitioners’ point of view.

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How the relationships between general practitioners and intensivists can be improved: the general practitioners' point of view.

Crit Care. 2010 Jun 14;14(3):R112

Authors: Etesse B, Jaber S, Mura T, Leone M, Constantin JM, Michelet P, Zoric L, Capdevila X, Malavielle F, Allaouchiche B, Orban JC, Fabbro-Peray P, Lefrant JY, Azurea Group T

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The present study assessed the opinion of general practitioners (GPs) concerning their relationships with intensivists. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 7239 GPs. GPs were asked about their professional activities, postgraduate intensive care unit (ICU) training, the rate of patient admittance to ICUs and their relationships with intensivists. Relationship assessment was performed using a graduated visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (dissatisfaction) to 100 (satisfaction). A multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression was performed in order to isolate factors explaining dissatisfaction (VAS score < 25th percentile). RESULTS: Twenty-two % of the GPs (1561) responded. The median satisfaction score was 57/100 [interquartile (IQ): 35-77]. Five independent factors of dissatisfaction were identified: no information provided to GPs at patient admission (odds-ratio (OR) = 2.55 [1.71-3.80]), poor quality of family reception in the ICU (OR = 2.06 [1.40-3.02]), the ICU's family contact person's identity and/or function is unclear (OR = 1.48 [1.03-2.12]), lack of family information (OR = 2.02 [1.48-2.75]), and lack of discharge report (OR = 3.39 [1.70-6.76]). Three independent factors prevent dissatisfaction: age of GPs [less than or equal to] 45 years (OR = 0.69 [0.51-0.94]), the GP is called at patient ICU admission (OR = 0.44 [0.31-0.63]), and GP involvement in treatment decisions (OR = 0.17 [0.07-0.40]). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable improvement in GP-intensivist relationships can be achieved via increased communication measures.

PMID: 20546560 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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